Autumn already?

How many times have I wondered where the summer has gone? The answer is a whole lot. It seems that the more of summer I get, the more I want. However, today I have managed to get a grip, do some tidying up in the house and cleared my top work-tray. Now I know that the whole concept of work-trays is very 20th Century, but I am a 20th Century Oldie- even though I did manage to do a gentle waltz followed by a delicate rhumba both led by HBTW. (In case you have forgotten, Friday night is Dance Class.) Today the Bonfire Keeper has been HBTB – or Him behind the bonfire, as in being in charge.

Here is the photo to prove it. If anything it glows with an air of contentment. Any chance of a bonfire or cooking fire outside pleases Himself. That thought reminds me vividly of taking cubs away camping – the whole rigmarole around gathering wood, marking the boundary with stones and so forth helped to create a sense of the special. The cubs loved taking it in turns to light the fire, stoke it or tend it with the designated long piece of wood. All activities usually forbidden to them.

Autumn, is a special time. It is all about the gathering in of the hobbies so necessary for the long winter nights, and setting the tools and media in place for what is going to fill those nights and days. Being able to think about these things is one of the gifts of retirement. I often feel so downright grateful for these Golden Years that we are sharing with our curmudgeonly little dog, Misty. Incidentally, she has just been clipped again and some of the puffing and peching has stopped. She was obviously feeling too hot with her longer hair-style. The mobile grooming van appeared early on Thursday and whenever the Little Miss aspied the groomer there was a whole lot of shivering and shaking – all was right with the world once the dreaded process was over. Then, the groomer received licks and jumping and a contented kind of squeaking more suited to a puppy than an octogenarian canine. So just because you must like dogs to be reading this here is one of her clipped-style photos. As I write this I am very conscious of relatives who have lost their beloved dog recently. A lesson to all of us to make the most of every day we have.

Perhaps just because it really is Autumn it would be worth thinking about some aims for the winter. I thought I might get back to tackling the Memoirs; there is a lot of editing to do as well as more chapters to write. There are always more moocs available and finally, I could start some urgently needed de-cluttering.

Lovely to hear from you again Freda. It is good to hear that life seems to be treating you reasonably well. The gorgeous Misty seems to look younger in every picture you post.
Ask her how she does it will you?
Here, we are finding cooler days and nights (not a moment too soon for me) and it is just the lack of any real rain which is a problem.
The summer for me was horribly hot and the drought the worst I can remember.
There has been no rain of significant use for about 4 months.
Yes, i do know once it starts it will never stop but it is long overdue.
It is good to have choir practice back in place and the promise of good music for the next few months.
Enjoy your bonfires while you can .
Blessings to you all.